Town News Briefing

August 23, 2006

ENFIELD

Registration For

Religious Education

ENFIELD -- St. Patrick's religious education program has scheduled registration for Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 at the St. Bernard's west campus, 232 Pearl St., from 3:30 to 4:30 and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. both days.

All students, new and returning, need to register during those times. New students will need to bring a copy of their baptismal certificate.

Call Carolyn Dague at the religious education office at 860-741-0572 with any questions.

SUFFIELD

Church School

Will Resume

SUFFIELD -- Church school classes will reconvene on Sept. 17 at First Church of Christ, Congregational, for children in pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.

Registration forms can be obtained at the church office prior to Sept. 17. They will also be available that day at 9:30 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served to students and their parents, and a tour of the facility to meet the teachers will be offered. Children will attend the regular 10 a.m. worship service that day.

For more information, call the church office at 860-668-7223.

AREAWIDE

Hospice Seeks

Volunteers

North Central Hospice, a program of Visiting Nurse & Health Services of Connecticut, is seeking volunteers to assist with terminally ill patients and their families. A wide range of opportunities exist, with comprehensive training to begin in October.

Call a volunteer coordinator at 860-872-9163, Ext. 2423, for more information.

VERNON

Man Faces Charges In Trespass Case

VERNON -- A Bristol man was charged Monday after he allegedly stole tools from a truck then drove his car toward a police officer as he made his escape.

Paul J. Raymond, 37, of 107 Pine St., was breaking into a truck parked in a secure lot at Olender's body shop when neighbors called police about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 10, police said.

When officers and detectives arrived, Raymond fled, police said. As Raymond drove past Det. John DiVenere, he forced DiVenere to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, police said. DiVenere was able to see the driver's face and record his license plate, Lt. John Collins said.

Police obtained an arrest warrant after DiVenere was able to twice pick Raymond out of a photo lineup.

Raymond was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree criminal trespass, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny, assault on a police officer, reckless driving and running from police. He was being held with bail set at $5,000.

MANCHESTER

Police Caution

On `Road Rage'

MANCHESTER -- Police are asking drivers to exercise calm when driving after several ``road rage'' incidents in town, leading to one arrest and an arrest warrant for another driver.

According to police, one of the incidents occurred Aug. 19 when a Jeep with New York license plates was stopped at a red light behind another car. When the car didn't immediately accelerate when the traffic light turned green, the Jeep rammed the car several times, attempting to push it through the intersection. The driver of the car managed to escape. The driver of the Jeep is a New York City resident with a criminal record in Ohio and New York. Police are obtaining an arrest warrant.

On Aug. 20, police said, Eric Schott, 35, of Ellington, chased a female driver into the parking lot of the Christmas Tree Shops in Manchester and yelled at her for allegedly cutting him off in Vernon. When she tried to call 911, Schott attempted to grab the phone from her, police said. The passenger in the woman's car called 911 from the cellphone and Schott fled, they said. He later was arrested and charged with breach of peace and interfering with a 911 call. He was released on a promise to appear for an Aug. 30 appearance in Superior Court in Manchester.

Police are asking motorists to report immediately unsafe driving along with the registration number of the offending vehicle and the vehicle's direction of travel. Police say drivers should not try to chase, stop or confront the other driver.

MANCHESTER

Paving To Begin

On Main Street

MANCHESTER -- Paving on Main Street will begin today and is expected to continue through Aug. 30.

Drivers are asked to use alternate routes. Main Street businesses will be open during paving and parking will be allowed on Main Street in areas where paving is not occurring that day.

The Mary Cheney Library parking lot will be closed today because of the paving. Visitors can use the municipal parking lot off Pearl Street or at town hall.

For additional information, contact the public works department at 860-647-3067.

MANCHESTER

Concert Planned

For Community

MANCHESTER -- Summit Studios Performing Arts Center is inviting the community to an outdoor concert today to bring the neighborhood together.

The festivities include free music, food and a drawing for free prizes. Participants also will be able to register for music, dance and theater lessons.

The concert will be outside the studio at 421 Main St. For more information, call 860-645-1502.